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Student Acceptable Use Agreement

Novi Community School District

STUDENT PROCEDURES FOR THE ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

Purpose:

The Novi Community School District (NCSD) believes that technology is a vital tool for cultivating lifelong learning and enhancing 21st-century skills. The Technology Resources (e.g., school devices, network, and email) are provided to students to support instruction and learning.
 
Students shall receive age appropriate education about safety and security while using email, social media, and other forms of electronic communications, the dangers inherent with the online disclosure of personally identifiable information, and the consequences of unauthorized access, cyberbullying and other unlawful or inappropriate activities. NCSD will review cyber-safety rules with students throughout the course of the school year, and will offer reminders and reinforcement about safe and appropriate online behaviors. 

 

Users shall adhere to the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of NCSD, including but not limited to the Student Code of Conduct, Board of Education policies, and the Procedures and Rules for the Acceptable Use of Technology Resources and Personal Technology Devices. Users shall sign the Acceptable Use Policy as a prerequisite to the use of NCSD Technology Resources and PTD. 

The District is committed to providing a safe, secure, and appropriate digital learning environment. This Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) is designed to ensure compliance with critical federal laws, including:

  • The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which mandates the use of technology protection measures to prohibit minor students from accessing inappropriate matters on the Internet, and requires education on online safety.
  • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), regarding the protection and confidentiality of student education records and personal identifiable information.
  • The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), concerning the collection of personal information from students under the age of 13 by online services.
  • This AUA also aligns with best practices for data security and privacy, including the principles of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to safeguard sensitive data, particularly any student health information, handled through the Technology Resources.

Definitions:

Personal Technology Devices (“PTD”): Any technology device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, laptop, wearable device) brought to school or connected to the NCSD network by a student.

Technology Resources: Includes, but is not limited to, all computer hardware, software, network systems, accounts, email, and internet access owned or provided by the Novi Community School District (NCSD).

Computer System and/or System: Includes, but is not limited to, computer hardware, software (operation and application), disk drives, printers, scanners, the network and any and all other associated equipment. These may include software installed on the computer or systems and applications hosted in the cloud such as Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft 365 or other hosted systems. This also includes tools that utilize artificial intelligence (AI). 

School property: Includes on school premises (buildings, classrooms, virtual courses), on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, or at a school sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises. 

Student Procedures and Rules for the Use of Technology Resources and PTD: 

All individual users of Technology Resources and PTD shall accept responsibility and follow the Acceptable Use Agreement. Misuse of technology is a violation of this AUA and the Student Code of Conduct and may result in loss of technology privileges and/or disciplinary action.

A. System Ownership, Privacy, and Monitoring:

  1. NCSD is the owner of the Technology Resources and reserves the right to: 

a. Make determinations as to whether specific uses of its Technology Resources and/or PTD are inconsistent with the goals, educational mission, policies and/or procedures of NCSD.

b. Monitor and keep records of Internet use and to monitor file server space utilization by users.

c. At any time, strictly monitor Technology Resources electronically by NCSD.

2. Students shall not bypass the network filters and security policies, or process or access information related to the network filters and security policies. NCSD may collect and examine any Technology Resource and/or PTD that is suspected of bypassing the network filters and security, or processing or accessing information related to the network filters and security policies.

3. NCSD’s network filters will be applied to a PTD’s connection to the Internet and other Technology Resources.

a. I understand that data I send or receive over the technology resources is not private and that the school may monitor and inspect my use of technology resources including electronic communication that I send through the technology resources.

4. Users are responsible for making sure their PTD is up-to-date, including but not limited to operating system, antivirus/malware software, if applicable.

5. Technology Resources have not been established as a public access service or a public forum. 

6. Users have no right or expectation of privacy when using Technology Resources and Computer Systems, including, but not limited to, Google Workspace for Education accounts (including Chrome Profiles on NCSD devices and PTD), network communications, email, data on a device or server, Internet use, telephone, voice mail, and video recording.

B. Device Care and Responsibility:

  1. Disclosure, use and/or dissemination of personally identifiable information of students such as but not limited to user’s name, address, telephone number, social security number, pictures or other personally identifiable information is prohibited, except as expressly authorized by the minor student’s parent or guardian or as permitted by law.
  2. Users are expected to charge Technology Resources and/or PTD prior to school along with bringing their charger to school.
  3. Users shall maintain Technology Resources and/or PTD in silent mode at all times when on school property, unless otherwise permitted by school staff.
  4. Each user is responsible for their own PTD, and should use it responsibly and appropriately. NCSD takes no responsibility for stolen, lost, or damaged PTD, including lost or corrupted data on PTD.

a. You are responsible for the proper use of the Technology Resources and will be held accountable for any damage to or replacement of the technology resources caused by your inappropriate use.

b. You will return all technology resources to the school in good working order.

5. The content, use and maintenance of a user’s email account is the user’s responsibility. Accordingly, users shall: 

a. If applicable, maintain user passwords to ensure security of their account;

b. Check email regularly and remain within their file quota;

c. Delete unwanted messages immediately since they take up file storage;

d. Keep messages remaining in their email to a minimum;

e. Save email messages in accordance with NCSD’s Record Retention Policy;

f. Never assume that their email cannot be read or accessed by others; and

g. Not open attachments from unsecured sources.

6. Any and all websites and apps used for or representing NCSD or NCSD-related business shall be used, designed and published in accordance with the Website Creation Guidelines. 

C. Prohibited Online Conduct and Content:

  1. Students are required to adhere to the NCSD Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance to ensure responsible and ethical engagement with artificial intelligence.
  2. Messages sent by users via Technology Resources and/or PTD shall not contain profanity, obscene comments, sexually explicit material, expressions of bigotry, racism or hate.
  3. Students shall not use Technology Resources and/or PTD to harass or intimidate.
  4. Students shall not violate the intellectual property rights of others. This includes copying, downloading, or distributing copyrighted materials without the owner's express permission.
  5. Students shall not create, display, send, or publish any materials (including emails, posts, or images) that are sexually explicit, violent, illegal, or that constitute harassment, hate speech, intimidation, or attack against another person.
  6. Use of Technology Resources and/or PTD is prohibited in the following areas/situations: 

a. Locker rooms 

b. Bathrooms 

c. Any private areas used for the purpose of changing clothes 

d. Any other areas as designated by administration

7. Students shall not attempt to obtain any other user’s password(s) and shall not read, copy or alter other user’s data without their permission, unless it is required to perform the user’s job function. 

8. Students shall not intentionally seek information, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the Internet.

9. Students shall not knowingly or intentionally disclose, transmit, disseminate or otherwise distribute with Technology Resources and/or PTD, copyrighted, private, confidential or privileged information.

10. Users shall report any problems or malfunctions with Technology Resources of Computer Systems to the Technology Department.

11. Students shall not infiltrate, “hack into”, attempt to access or actually access Technology Resources, data, materials, or files that they are not authorized to access or the individual knows or reasonably believes may negatively affect the integrity of Technology Resources.

D. Network and Security:

1. Students should not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any NCSD Technology Resources, data, systems, or accounts, and should not attempt to bypass or circumvent any network security measures.

  1. Students shall not play video games, visit chat rooms or otherwise use Technology Resources and/or PTD on school property for nonacademic purposes.
  2. Students shall not knowingly or intentionally damage or alter any aspect of the Technology Resources.
  3. Students shall not install any software on NCSD computers, servers or any Technology Resources without the express prior written permission of the Technology Department.
  4. Students shall not knowingly or intentionally introduce malware or engage in any other malicious action that affects Technology Resources. NCSD may collect and examine any Technology Resource and/or PTD that is suspected of causing technology problems or was the source of a malware infection or attack.

 

Network Considerations: 

Users should strive to maintain appropriate bandwidth for school-related work and communications when using the NCSD network. NCSD does not guarantee connectivity or quality of connection with PTD.
 

Disclaimer (Technology Service Limitations):  

NCSD will make every effort to provide appropriate Technology Resources and services, however, NCSD makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the Technology Resources it is providing. NCSD will not be responsible for any damages incurred by a user of the Technology Resources and/or PTD, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions. NCSD does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy or quality of information obtained via the Internet or email. NCSD shall not be held responsible for any possible charges to an account that might be incurred during approved school-related use of PTD. 

In no event shall NCSD be liable for any damages (whether direct, indirect, special or 

consequential) arising out of the use of the Internet, accuracy or correctness of databases or information contained therein, or related directly or indirectly to any failure or delay of access to the Internet or other network application.